Thank you so very much for allowing me to be part of your child's education this year. I've enjoyed getting to know your student and am excited to see how they will continue to develop throughout the rest of the year. I also appreciate the support that you provide at home to ensure your student is as successful as he/she can be. I hope that you and your student have a relaxing and refreshing holiday break.
Sincerely,
Melanie Allen
PS - Thanks also for the holiday gifts! You are too kind :)
Friday, December 16, 2011
New Semester
When we return in January, we'll be beginning a new semester. To start off the year on the right foot, please encourage your student to:
* Clean out their binder and recycle old worksheets, papers, etc.
* Use some time each day to read an AR book
* Restock their backpack with new notebooks, pencils, pens, and other supplies
* Come back refreshed and ready to learn!
* Clean out their binder and recycle old worksheets, papers, etc.
* Use some time each day to read an AR book
* Restock their backpack with new notebooks, pencils, pens, and other supplies
* Come back refreshed and ready to learn!
W-L Education Foundation
For anyone looking for a good end-of-the-year tax donation:
The Warrensburg-Latham Educational Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports the work we do here at WLMS. In the past, the Educational Foundation has provided novels, classroom materials, newspaper resources, and other items to my classroom. Their generosity provides students with resources that we would otherwise not be able to provide. You can visit the following link to find out more information: http://www.wl.k12.il.us/community/makegift.asp
The Warrensburg-Latham Educational Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports the work we do here at WLMS. In the past, the Educational Foundation has provided novels, classroom materials, newspaper resources, and other items to my classroom. Their generosity provides students with resources that we would otherwise not be able to provide. You can visit the following link to find out more information: http://www.wl.k12.il.us/community/makegift.asp
What's Going on in Writing?
In Writing, we've taken a short break from diagramming to review some of the important punctuation rules, specifically those dealing with commas. When we return in January, we will be studying compound and complex sentences and begin the process of learning to diagram them.
We've also recently implemented a new Diagramming Challenge. Posted on the board and outside my door is a challenging sentence that students are asked to diagram and label. Those that complete it correctly earn the kudos of their classmates and a bit of extra credit as well. Please encourage your student to take advantage of this opportunity when we return.
I've begun the (slightly daunting!) process of reading all of the NaNoWriMo novels and will begin posting those grades as I read. As I reminded students, with 50+ stories to read ranging from 10-50 pages, it's a healthy reading load. I will continue to read over Christmas break and post grades as I finish stories.
Over break, students can also visit the NaNoWriMo page to receive their promo code for the free novel. The page will direct you to the website where you can work with your student to design his/her novel. If you have questions, please feel free to email me.
We've also recently implemented a new Diagramming Challenge. Posted on the board and outside my door is a challenging sentence that students are asked to diagram and label. Those that complete it correctly earn the kudos of their classmates and a bit of extra credit as well. Please encourage your student to take advantage of this opportunity when we return.
I've begun the (slightly daunting!) process of reading all of the NaNoWriMo novels and will begin posting those grades as I read. As I reminded students, with 50+ stories to read ranging from 10-50 pages, it's a healthy reading load. I will continue to read over Christmas break and post grades as I finish stories.
Over break, students can also visit the NaNoWriMo page to receive their promo code for the free novel. The page will direct you to the website where you can work with your student to design his/her novel. If you have questions, please feel free to email me.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
What's Going on in Reading?
We're quickly wrapping up our drama unit by reading a play version of The Christmas Carol. The students enjoyed being able to perform the play in a reader's theater-style and several really took to their parts. At the conclusion of the play, we compared the traditional version of our reading to some of the more nontraditional versions of the tale. When we return in January, we will begin our study of poetry!
Over break, please encourage your student to take some time each day to read silently from their AR book. The first project on third quarter is due at the end of January, but many students have made it a personal goal to have the project complete when they return from break.
Over break, please encourage your student to take some time each day to read silently from their AR book. The first project on third quarter is due at the end of January, but many students have made it a personal goal to have the project complete when they return from break.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Barclay Library Events
As many of you already know, I'm a huge fan of Barclay Library here in Warrensburg and all of the outstanding offerings they have for such a small library. Below are a few of their upcoming events. Please consider joining in on the fun!
Saturday, December 3rd - Cookie Walk
9am - Noon
Barclay Library's annual holiday cookie sale will be Saturday, December 3rd from 9-Noon. Delicious homemade holiday cookies and candies will be sold for only $4 per pound. Bring the family so everyone can choose their favorites while you help the Friends of the Library raise funds to support the Summer Reading Club. Volunteers are needed to bake and donate cookies and set-up for the sale.
December 2nd-21st - Christmas Tree Contest
Work as a family to decorate a tree in any theme you wish. Bring a decorated tree to Barclay Library by Thursday, December 1st. Library visitors can vote for their favorite tree by depositing change in each tree’s piggy bank, December 2nd-21st. The tree raising the most funds for library programs will receive a $20 gift card for a business of their choice! Tree must be no larger than 24 inches. Sponsored by Buena Vista National Bank.
Book a Movie - The Help
Midday Matinee - Wednesday, December 7th at Noon. Free light lunch.
Evening Edition - Thursday, December 8th at 6:30 pm. Free popcorn and beverages.
Library on the Go! -
The long awaited upgrade to Library On The Go (LOTG) has finally arrived! Barclay Library cardholders can now download ebooks for Kindle! Most of the ebooks already in the Library On The Go database have been made ready for Kindle users and can be accessed now. “How-to” handouts also available at the library's service desk.
Saturday, December 3rd - Cookie Walk
9am - Noon
Barclay Library's annual holiday cookie sale will be Saturday, December 3rd from 9-Noon. Delicious homemade holiday cookies and candies will be sold for only $4 per pound. Bring the family so everyone can choose their favorites while you help the Friends of the Library raise funds to support the Summer Reading Club. Volunteers are needed to bake and donate cookies and set-up for the sale.
December 2nd-21st - Christmas Tree Contest
Work as a family to decorate a tree in any theme you wish. Bring a decorated tree to Barclay Library by Thursday, December 1st. Library visitors can vote for their favorite tree by depositing change in each tree’s piggy bank, December 2nd-21st. The tree raising the most funds for library programs will receive a $20 gift card for a business of their choice! Tree must be no larger than 24 inches. Sponsored by Buena Vista National Bank.
Book a Movie - The Help
Midday Matinee - Wednesday, December 7th at Noon. Free light lunch.
Evening Edition - Thursday, December 8th at 6:30 pm. Free popcorn and beverages.
Library on the Go! -
The long awaited upgrade to Library On The Go (LOTG) has finally arrived! Barclay Library cardholders can now download ebooks for Kindle! Most of the ebooks already in the Library On The Go database have been made ready for Kindle users and can be accessed now. “How-to” handouts also available at the library's service desk.
ThinkLink Testing
As I've mentioned before, students recently completed the second round of Discovery Education's ThinkLink testing. The computerized test is based on the recently adopted Common Core Standards. Illinois is one of 45 states who have implemented these new standards. The mission of the Common Core is to:
The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy.
While the curriculum here at Warrensburg-Latham already incorporates many of the important aspects of Common Core, if you are interested in learning more, you can visit the official Common Core frequently asked questions. for more information.
The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy.
While the curriculum here at Warrensburg-Latham already incorporates many of the important aspects of Common Core, if you are interested in learning more, you can visit the official Common Core frequently asked questions. for more information.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Supplies
Many students are at the point where they are starting to run out of paper, pens, lead for mechanical pencils, and other basic supplies. If you get the chance, please ask your student how his/her supplies are holding up. I've given out a slew of pencils lately and am starting to run low myself :)
Email Address Changes
Have you updated the email address that the school has on file? In the last few weeks, I've tried to send a handful of emails that have been rejected because the parent email address is no longer valid. I know that several of you receive this email at a different address than the one that is on file for your student. If you've stopped using a particular account, please make sure that we've got your latest address. Thanks!
What's Going on in Writing?
As we approach the end of November, students are busy wrapping up their novels. I've been so impressed by the dedication and quality of the work that students are putting out! At the start of the project, I asked all students to put away their "Inner Editor" - that voice in their head that gets caught up in grammar mistakes or punctuation errors and keeps the student from getting his/her ideas down on paper. Now that students are finishing up, we will bring those Inner Editors back out and start cleaning up the novels. Students are responsible for the first read through of their novel, and we will also be using peer editing to help catch common errors and mistakes.
Later, we will also be asking you to complete a parent edit. Please note that I'm not asking to fix every single tiny mistake in the novel. After all, the novel was written by a 7th grader and it should still sound like that. Instead, I want you to enjoy your student's novel. Point out any obvious problems with clarity, focus or organization - but feel free to layer on the praise! Your student has put a ton of time and energy into this story. For most, this is the longest and most developed writing they have ever done. It's definitely time to celebrate the accomplishment!
One of the perks of "winning" NaNoWriMo (aka - meeting your word count goal) is earning a free professional proof copy of the novel. Once the contest ends, students who met their goal will receive a free promo code. Once those arrive, I'll be sending more specific instructions on how to redeem it.
Later, we will also be asking you to complete a parent edit. Please note that I'm not asking to fix every single tiny mistake in the novel. After all, the novel was written by a 7th grader and it should still sound like that. Instead, I want you to enjoy your student's novel. Point out any obvious problems with clarity, focus or organization - but feel free to layer on the praise! Your student has put a ton of time and energy into this story. For most, this is the longest and most developed writing they have ever done. It's definitely time to celebrate the accomplishment!
One of the perks of "winning" NaNoWriMo (aka - meeting your word count goal) is earning a free professional proof copy of the novel. Once the contest ends, students who met their goal will receive a free promo code. Once those arrive, I'll be sending more specific instructions on how to redeem it.
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